Michael Brealey.
Former Create NSW chief Michael Brealey has been named chief operating officer of Screen Australia, succeeding Fiona Cameron.
Brealey will begin in his new position on June 18. Cameron, who was the founding COO of Screen Australia after it was formed in 2008, is departing the agency to join ACMA as a fulltime member.
Brealey was the inaugural CEO of Create NSW, formed in January 2016 after a merger of Screen NSW and Arts NSW. He departed the organisation in February after 13 months in the role, and his successor is yet to be announced.
Prior to his role at Create NSW, Brealey worked in various roles at Arts NSW, including as acting executive director and director of policy, strategy and communications. He was also the head of TV policy, strategy and governance at the ABC, and has held various roles at Vodafone, including manager of content standards and public policy. He began his career in the Federal Government’s Department of Communications and the Arts where he worked on screen, broadcast and telecommunications policy.
“Few people have screen, arts, telco, broadcaster, federal government and state government experience, all of which we touch, so I am thrilled that Michael is joining Screen Australia at this time of rapid change within our industry,” said Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason.
“Everyone at Screen Australia is keenly aware of the responsibility we have to the industry, and our culture has at its heart a love of Australian screen stories and the talented people who make them. Michael’s energy and drive is infectious and I look forward to the contribution he will make to the sector whilst at Screen Australia.”
Of his new appointment, Brealey said: “I am very excited to be taking up this role. Screen Australia is highly regarded in the industry, and plays a crucial part in supporting local talent and bringing Australian stories to our screens, something which is more important now than ever.”